Old Leighlin Cathedral & Holy Well – A Heaven of Tranquility

 

Early in the seventh century St. Gobban founded a monastery at Old Leighlin. While in prayer he saw a vision of a host of angels hovering over Leighlin foretelling of the arrival of a holy stranger who would gather many servants of God in this area. It is said that this vision referred to St Laserian. In time the monastery had in the region of 1,500 monks and the Abbey was made the seat of the Episcopal See, Laserian being its first Bishop.

Laserian, of noble Ulster descent, had spent fourteen years in Rome where he had been ordained a priest by Pope Gregory the Great. Upon visiting Rome the second time, he was consecrated bishop by Pope Honorius I, and on his return to Old Leighlin he directed the monastery until 639 A.D. and when he died on 18th April he was buried in his own church. The anniversary of his death is still commemorated every year with a service in the Church followed by a parade to the nearby holy well.

Photo Carlow County Museum.

Despite its importance during this period (and still is) there was no uniformity in deciding the date for Easter and it was an ambition of the Church to introduce such uniformity between the Roman and Celtic churches. In the year 630 A.D. a synod was held in Leighlin Cathedral to consider the correct time for the celebration of Easter. The synod decided in favour of the Roman system and St. Laserian was influential in this matter. The decision was later ratified at the Synod of Whitby in 664 A.D. The method decided upon and continuing to this day is the first Sunday after the first full moon which follows the vernal equinox.

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19th century Pulpit, Eagle Lectern, the four seated Sedilia and view of the Chancel from the Altar. Photos Carlow County Museum.

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Vigor Family Crest, Head from the Sedilia, Lectern & Bishops Throne, view of Altar & East Window, view of the Nave, Stain Glass Window
Photos Carlow County Museum.

The original monastic buildings, probably wooden, were totally destroyed by fire c.1060 A.D. The present stone building was begun by Donatus, Bishop of Leighlin 1152 – 11811 and completed by the end of the thirteenth century. It consisted of a long chancel and nave of the present church to which two transepts north and south of the nave were soon added. The northern one is now roofless and the southern one has been destroyed. The shafted splays of the southern window of the chancel and the four bay sedilia with trefoiled heads are good examples of the late thirteenth century work. The large east window contains seventeen different pieces of stain glass featuring different Irish Saints, which was created by Catherine O’Brien.

Located a short distance directly west of the Cathedral is St Laserian’s Holy Well. It is said to mark the meeting point of St Laserian and St Finbarr of Cork. The well consists of a four and a half foot stone cross under which the water flows. Many cures have been attributed to it and it is still a place of local pilgrimage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

St Laserian’s Holy Well. Photo Carlow County Museum.

Old Leighlin Cathedral is open to the public daily from 1st May to 30th September from 10.00am to 4.00pm. There is no admission charge but donations welcome.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On July 16th 2006 the new Bishop of Leighlin, the Right Reverend Michael Burrows knocking three times on the West Door of the Cathedral to gain entry. Resident Priest Revd. Stan Evans looks on. Photo Carlow County Museum.

For further information about services and opening hours please contact:
Revd. Stan Evans, Resident Priest, The Deanery, Old Leighlin, Co. Carlow. Tel: (059) 9720934
or
The Dean, The Very Revd. F.J. Gordon Wynne, The Rectory, Dunleckney, Muine Bheag, Co. Carlow. Tel: (059) 9721570.